Liverpool are tracking Benfica defender Maxi Pereira ahead of the January transfer window.Reuters

Liverpool are reportedly targeting a move for Benfica right-back Maxi Periera during the January transfer window.

According to the Mirror, Brendan Rodgers is keen to sign an experienced full-back to replace Glen Johnson, who is on the final year of his contract and is a target for Serie A club AS Roma.

Apart from Johnson, the Reds only have two inexperienced defenders in Jon Flanagan and Javier Manquillo, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Pereira, a Uruguayan international, who has been with the Portuguese club since 2007 is on the final year of his contract, and will be available on a free transfer during the summer. But with Johnson most likely to depart in January, the Reds manager is keen to sign him in the upcoming window.

However, it will not be easy as Benfica are quoting a price of £4m, which might be a stumbling block for a player who is 30 years old and on the final six months of his contract.

Pereira will be allowed to open talks with Liverpool once the January transfer window opens as he will be on the final six months of his contract and can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs abroad.

Apart from the Uruguayan defender, the Merseyside club are also keeping tabs on Barcelona defender Martin Montoya.

The Spanish international is struggling to get regular game time at the Camp Nou and this has led to the defender deciding that he wants out, despite the club's efforts to persuade him to stay.

Montoya's agent Juan de Dios Carrasco has revealed that his client is sure to leave the club during the winter transfer window and that a search for a suitable club is currently in the works.

"Montoya will 100 per cent leave Barcelona in the winter window. Right now we just want to find the best club for Martin, so he can continue his progression," Dios Carrasco said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"Germany, Italy and England all have clubs that are already pulling strings to sign him," the Spanish defender's agent added.